This Halloween, Torridge District Council is encouraging residents not to let waste come back to haunt them by making simple, sustainable choices while celebrating the spookiest night of the year.
Each Halloween, around 22 million pumpkins are thrown away in the UK, with 18,000 tons of waste being produced and only 1 in 9 people cooking their pumpkins*. Carving pumpkins may be good fun, but when cooked properly they are delicious and a fantastic source of Vitamins A and C, Iron and Riboflavin.
Make the most of your pumpkin by checking out these tasty recipes from Recycle Devon, including a classic pumpkin pie and a warming pumpkin soup: www.recycledevon.org/eat-your-pumpkin
After you’ve finished with your pumpkins (or if they start looking a little spooky!) they can be repurposed in a couple of ways:
- Nourish your garden by adding them to your compost heap
- ‘Monster Mash’ them and add to your food caddy
However, if your pumpkin is still in good shape, you can leave them on top of, or besides, your kerbside caddy for the post-Halloween pickup by our crews – although please remember to remove any other decorations or candles first!
Halloween costumes are also a significant source of waste with 7 million being binned after Halloween and 4 in 10 people only wearing their costume once*. If you enjoy dressing up, why not make an amazing costume using items you already have at home.
Alternatively, instead of investing in single-use costumes, consider outfits which you could wear multiple times – face paints, hats and headpieces can transform an ordinary outfit into an extraordinary costume, while eliminating the need for disposable outfits, and reducing your impact on the environment. Plus, it’s great fun to let your imagination take over!
Councillor Chris Leather, Lead Member for Operational Services at Torridge District Council said:
“Torridge residents have a fantastic track record when it comes to recycling, and Halloween is no exception! Instead of leaving pumpkins out for wildlife, which may be harmful to animals like hedgehogs, why not make the most of every pumpkin? From tasty recipes for your friends and family, to nourishing your garden with composting leftovers, we can all enjoy a Halloween which is spooky for the right reasons while being kind to the environment.’’
*The frightful environmental footprint of Halloween – Geographical
